使徒統緒(Apostolic succession),天主教中文譯作宗徒傳承,是指基督教教會的聖職是從耶穌十二使徒傳承開始代代相傳,通常與聲稱是一系列的主教有關[1]這一系列的主教,起初被視為由一個或多個使徒建立的教座的主教,但現在被理解為一系列的主教(不論來自那個教座)受其他主教祝聖,而施行祝聖的主教也是以同樣的方式受祝聖,一直追溯至使徒[2][3]

一位或多位主教按手祝聖新主教

使徒統緒也可以理解成從使徒至今的教義連續性[4]。例如,英國循道宗會議將「真實連續」定為「基督經歷的連續,同一靈所賜的團契,屬於一主的連續,訊息的持續宣告,使命的持續領受……[5]」。

一些人視按手禮為使徒統緒的重要部分,因新約聖經提及個人的使徒傳承(例如從保羅提摩太提多)。他們也認為早期教會書信,特別是聖紀文書信[6]。紀文特別提到,使徒委派主教為繼承人,並指示主教也應照樣委派繼承人,因此,這樣的教會領袖不能無故罷免。此外,提倡主教擁有個人使徒傳承的人指出,早教統一的教會(公元431年及之前)普遍奉行這規定。

加爾文主義背景的歸正宗長老宗、少部分的聖公宗信義宗新教派別否定使徒統緒的必要[1][7],並質疑這些歷史聲稱的真實性。

使徒座

編輯

使徒座英語Apostolic see是指宣稱自身是由一個或多個使徒所建立起來,維繫和傳承該使徒權威、教義和宗教實踐傳統的重要主教座。列表如下:

五大宗主教區

其他教區

耶穌基督後期聖徒教會

參考文獻

編輯
  1. ^ 1.0 1.1 F.L. Cross, E.A. Livingstone (editors), The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-19-280290-3), article "apostolic succession"
  2. ^ Justo L. González, ''Essential Theological Terms'' (Westminster John Knox Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-664-22810-1), p. 15. Google.com. [2013-07-18]. (原始內容存檔於2021-10-27). 
  3. ^ Walter A. Elwell, ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology'' (Baker Academic 2001 ISBN 978-0-8010-2075-9), p. 89. Google.com. [2013-07-18]. (原始內容存檔於2021-05-29). 
  4. ^ Donald S. Armentrout, Robert Boak Slocum An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church (Church Publishing 1999 ISBN 9780898692112), p. 25 or
  5. ^ Jay, Eric G. The Church. John Knox press: 1980, p.229
  6. ^ Adam, Karl. The Spirit of Catholicism Doubleday & C°, Inc: 1957 p. 20
  7. ^ "Apostolic Succession" in ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'', Sixth Edition (Columbia University Press 2004). Questia.com. [2013-07-18]. (原始內容存檔於2011-06-04). 
  8. ^ St. Irenaeus. Adversus Haereses. 1907. Because it would be too long in such a volume as this to enumerate the successions of all the churches, we point to the tradition of that very great and very ancient and universally known Church, which was founded and established at Rome, by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul: we point I say, to the tradition which this Church has from the Apostles, and to her faith proclaimed to men which comes down to our time through the succession of her bishops, and so we put to shame . . . all who assemble in unauthorized meetings. For with this Church, because of its superior authority, every Church must agree — that is the faithful everywhere — in communion with which Church the tradition of the Apostles has been always preserved by those who are everywhere 
  9. ^ St. Mark The Apostle, Evangelist. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2018-12-26). 
  10. ^ The Patriarchate of Antioch: Founded by Saints Peter and Paul. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2021-04-23). Ignatius was the second successor to Peter and may actually have been consecrated by that Apostle or Saint Paul. 
  11. ^ 305 Chapter XIX.—The Episcopal Chair of James. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2021-11-12). 
  12. ^ Cyprian Orthodox Church Official Website. Churchofcyprus.org.cy. [26 July 2011]. (原始內容存檔於2011-07-23). 
  13. ^ We are the One Holy Universal Apostolic Orthodox Armenian Church. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2011-07-05). 
  14. ^ Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. malankaraorthodoxchurch.in. [18 August 2011]. (原始內容存檔於2011-07-21). 
  15. ^ THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ETHIOPIAN CHURCH. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2011-06-11). 
  16. ^ The First Presidency of the Early Church: Their Lives and Epistles. [2017-10-28]. (原始內容存檔於2018-10-24). 

參見

編輯